AsiaSat 9, AsiaSat’s most powerful satellite, is set for launch on September 28 at Moscow time 09:50 p.m. ( September 29, Baikonur time, 00:50 a.m., Hong Kong time, 02:50 a.m.) on a Proton M/Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, after being in storage at Space Systems Loral’s facility with the satellite's pre-shipment review having passed inspection in April.

AsiaSat 9, Asia ’s next-generation satellite, will replace AsiaSat 4 at 122 degrees East longitude. Designed with innovative and cutting edge features, this new satellite will deliver significantly improved performance and higher efficiency for customers. New services on AsiaSat 9 include the world’s first dedicated Ku-band Myanmar beam and the new Ku-band Indonesia and Mongolia beams, in addition to two enhanced Ku-band beams that will serve Australasia and East Asia, as well as a C-band footprint that offers wider high-power coverage over Asia, Australasia and the Pacific region. AsiaSat 9’s five Ku-band beams are equipped with cross-strap beam switching capability to provide flexible coverage.

Manufactured by Space Systems Loral, AsiaSat 9 is an SSL 1300E satellite equipped with 28 C- and 32 Ku-band transponders, and a Ka-band payload. Unique features onboard the AsiaSat 9 spacecraft include the most powerful C-band TWTA at 110 watts, combined with special filter design to achieve higher bandwidth for higher throughput, an increase of 23 percent across wider coverage; fitted hall effect thrusters and star tracker to achieve higher stability and reliability in satellite operation as well as better performance at the edge of beam coverage.

Photo of the AsiaSat-9 satellite at SSL.

According to Andrew Jordan, the President and CEO of AsiaSat, this newest satellite—AsiaSat 9—is primed to serve existing customers and new users as the company reaches a new milestone, presenting more cost-efficient opportunities, enhanced quality and faster services for applications through mobility, broadband data networks, and DTH services. As AsiaSat has broadened its scope and has innovated to provide advanced satellite solutions, the company is confident in the opportunities satellite services create for future broadcasting and communications throughout the APAC region.